Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 2 April 1986
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727-231
Owner/operator: Trans World Airlines – TWA
Registration Number: N54340
Location: over Argos –
ÿ Greece
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 121
Component Affected: FuselageFuselage
Category: Unlawful Interference
A bomb detonated during descent through FL100, resulting in a significant hole in the fuselage near seat 10F. Four passengers were ejected. The aircraft landed safely in Athens.A bomb detonated during descent through FL100, resulting in a significant hole in the fuselage near seat 10F. Four passengers were ejected. The aircraft landed safely in Athens.
Description
While descending through FL100 a bomb exploded, causing a 1,40 x 1,60 m hole in the fuselage near seat 10F. Four passengers were ejected through the hole in the fuselage. The aircraft landed safely at Athens. Investigators concluded that the bomb contained one pound of plastic explosive. It is suspected it had been placed under the seat cushion on a previous journey by a Lebanese woman (later arrested, never convicted) who worked for the Abu Nidal Organisation.
Primary Cause
Bomb detonated with one pound of plastic explosive.Bomb detonated with one pound of plastic explosive.Share on:
